Writing Prompts for Images

Writing Prompts for Images: The Art of Getting What You Want 🎯

Unlocking the full potential of AI image generation starts with one thing: your prompt. A well-crafted prompt is your creative blueprint—it tells the AI exactly what you want to see. The clearer and more precise your words, the better your results will be.

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Anatomy of a Great Image Prompt

Think of your prompt as a recipe. Just as a recipe needs clear ingredients and instructions, your prompt should include specific details the AI can understand and follow.

Main Building Blocks

Every effective image prompt should aim to answer:

1. Subject — Who or what is in the image?
2. Action — What are they doing?
3. Setting — Where is it happening?
4. Style/Medium — How should it look?
5. Mood/Lighting — What feeling or atmosphere should the image have?

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From Simple to Specific—Prompt Structure

Let’s see how prompts evolve from basic to advanced:

Level 1: Simple Prompt

"A cat"

Result: A generic cat, with random style and background.

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Level 2: Descriptive Prompt

"Fluffy orange cat sitting on a windowsill"

Result: A more specific scene and subject.

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Level 3: Detailed Prompt

"Fluffy orange cat with green eyes sitting on a sunlit windowsill, looking out into a garden, photorealistic"

Result: Clear subject, action, setting, and style.

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Level 4: Artistic Direction

"Fluffy orange cat with green eyes sitting on a sunlit windowsill, gazing at a blooming garden, golden hour lighting, photorealistic, warm and peaceful atmosphere"

Result: Highly detailed, professional-quality image with mood and lighting.

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Essential Prompt Elements Explained

1. Be Specific, Not Vague

• Good: "A young woman with curly red hair"
• Vague: "A person"
• Good: "Three golden retriever puppies playing on the grass"
• Vague: "Some dogs"

2. Describe the Action or Pose

• Good: "Jumping over a log"
• Vague: "Doing something"

3. Set the Scene

• Good: "In a cozy café with warm lighting"
• Vague: "In a place"

4. Choose a Medium or Style

• "Oil painting," "digital illustration," "photorealistic," "watercolor," "sketch," etc.

5. Define Mood and Lighting

• "Golden hour," "soft ambient light," "mysterious and melancholic," "bright and cheerful," etc.

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Tips for Creating Effective Prompts

• Short and Simple Wins: Use concise, clear phrases. Avoid long lists or never-ending sentences.
• Choose the Right Words: Use precise adjectives and synonyms. Instead of "nice," try "cozy," "elegant," or "vibrant."
• Use Specific Numbers: "Three cats" is clearer than "cats."
• Emphasize What You Want: Focus your prompt on what should be present, not on what to exclude.
• Be Clear About Details: Mention elements that matter to you—subject, style, setting, color, mood, composition.
• Reference Real Things: "Like a sunset in Hawaii" is more effective than "beautiful sunset."

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Advanced Prompting Techniques

Negative Prompts

Tell the AI what to avoid, if supported:

• "No text or words"
• "No people in the background"

Technical Specifications

Add details for higher quality or specific results:

• "High resolution," "4K," "studio lighting," "portrait orientation," "shallow depth of field"

Reference Styles

Mention artists, genres, or art movements:

• "In the style of Studio Ghibli," "Art Deco," "cyberpunk anime"

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too Vague:
  ❌ "Something beautiful"
  ✅ "Sunset over a mountain lake with golden reflections"

• Overly Complex:
  ❌ "A complex scene with lots of details and..."
  ✅ "A busy market with colorful stalls and people shopping"

• Ignoring Style:
  ❌ "A cat"
  ✅ "A cat, watercolor painting"

• Missing Lighting:
  ❌ "A person in a room"
  ✅ "A person in a room with soft window lighting"

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Pro Tips for Better Results

• Start Simple: Build your prompt step by step, testing each change.
• Use Adjectives: Make your descriptions vivid and concrete.
• Save Good Prompts: Keep a library of successful prompts for future inspiration and reuse.

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Example: Building a Prompt Step by Step

1. Start: "A cat"
2. Add detail: "A fluffy orange cat"
3. Add action: "A fluffy orange cat sitting"
4. Add setting: "A fluffy orange cat sitting on a windowsill"
5. Add style: "A fluffy orange cat sitting on a windowsill, photorealistic"
6. Add lighting: "A fluffy orange cat sitting on a windowsill, photorealistic, golden hour lighting"
7. Add mood: "A fluffy orange cat sitting on a windowsill, photorealistic, golden hour lighting, peaceful atmosphere"

Each addition guides the AI toward a more specific and satisfying result.

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Next: Explore the most powerful AI image tools and how to get started with your first creations!